I’m just getting adjusted to learning about the confusing differences between the terms of liberal, progressive and conservative in different parts of the world. I know in the US, it refers more to political leanings; not so sure in Western Europe but in the Non-Western world, it refers to attitudes, customs, and beliefs.
Going by the definition worldwide definition and rather than what policies someones subscribes to, how many Americans and Europeans would you say are actually liberal or progressive?
I’ve met a few Americans, English, Irish who claim to hold non-conservative beliefs but despite this, they have a high resistance towards what they claim is ‘new-age’ liberal parenting, express ignorant statements towards feminine men/masculine women/ LGBT, and generally express ignorance towards troubled people; mentally ill etc…
Now it’s understandable that ‘one should not have their mind too open that their brains fall out’, but I don’t see why being progressive and open minded yet having a firm attitude seems are considered mutually exclusive.
I guess how people are brought up is a major factor in whether they become liberal or not.
What you’re asking about is (in the US anyway) more often described as ‘socially’ liberal rather than ‘culturally’. These days, the Democratic party leans pretty hard on the social liberalism which has caused it some pains. Back in the day, you had a lot of Democrats who were strong supporters of unions, government safety nets and open to government spending but had conservative views on issues like gay marriage or the arts. As the Democrats have become more socially liberal, they’ve lost ground in places like Kentucky or West Virginia where former Democrats feel abandoned in the name of worrying about who gets to use which bathroom or if there’s a Christmas tree in a school building.
I note this as Democrat who is pretty socially liberal, by the way. You can start to get a feel for how many Americans are socially liberal by watching election returns and maybe subtracting 5-7% for the few remaining social conservatives who are still hanging on and voting for Democrats.
I need the OP to clarify what a “liberal” person is.
If I’m a woman who believes in the right to abortion, but would never have one myself, does that make me liberal or conservative?
If I believe a mentally ill person who is violent (I know, only a tiny subset) should be forced to take medication that helps them control their behavior, am I trying to deny them their rights, or protect the community?
If I send my child to a private school because the local schools are terrible, does that make me anti-public education? If I do that, but also vote for increasing public funding for those schools, does that make me a hypocrite?
I consider myself liberal and I’d take all those views above. It doesn’t make you a hypocrite at all. You seem pragmatic. You are balancing the needs of the society with freedoms of the individual.